Sales-tax-receipt change passes Legislature

Snohomish County would benefit from a legislative change in how state sales tax is distributed.

The Legislature agreed last week to streamline sales-tax receipts so that all funds are distributed where goods and services are sold or take place.

For Snohomish County, that would mean an additional $4.5 million in sales-tax revenue starting in 2009.

Under current law, sales tax for services is given to the county where the company resides. For example, if a Seattle firm was hired to do work in Snohomish County, sales tax collected would be paid to King County.

Under the change, which is expected to be signed soon by the governor, the sales tax for services would go to the county where the work is done — as is the case for goods sold.

Snohomish County has supported the change. The Legislature has discussed such a change the past four years.

Everett

Jackie Minchew to run for council

Jackie Minchew, a music teacher and community activist, is running for Everett City Council again. Two years ago, Minchew unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Councilman Arlan Hatloe.

Minchew hasn't declared which seat he'll seek this time.

Four council positions will be on the November ballot. Three incumbents — Brenda Stonecipher, Drew Nielsen and Ron Gipson — are seeking re-election, while longtime Councilman Bob Overstreet is retiring.

Two candidates, David Simpson and Shannon Affholter, already have filed for Overstreet's seat.

Simpson served on the council from 1997 to 2001, and in January 2004 he was briefly appointed to the state House of Representatives, filling a 38th District vacancy created when Jean Berkey moved to the state Senate.

He was defeated that fall by state Rep. Mike Sells.

Affholter, a pharmaceutical-company sales representative, is a city parks-board member.

Mill Creek

Penny Creek gets 21-foot bridge

A new, 21-foot bridge will replace three corroded, small culverts that currently carry Penny Creek under Mill Creek Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in early April and last seven months.

During most of the project, traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on Mill Creek Road. Overnight road closures also may occur at certain points during the project.

Drivers on the 164th Street Southeast/Seattle Hill Road corridor are encouraged to seek other routes, as significant traffic impacts are expected.

The contract, with Advanced Construction of Mukilteo, will cost the city approximately $1.25 million to be funded by city surface-water-utility fees.

Bothell

2 Northshore students compete

Two Northshore School District students will be among competitors presenting their work today at the North Puget Sound Regional History Day contest at the Shoreline Center in Shoreline.

The presentations will be by Rebecca Smith, of Bothell High School, with her senior individual paper, and Alison Coombs of Canyon Park Junior High School.

Smith, who made it to the national level with previous entries, did her present paper on the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

Coombs, who was inspired by her grandfather's World War II service, is entered in the junior individual-documentary category with her paper about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Some 496 students in grades 6-12 will present their work in the Shoreline competition.

Students from Sunrise Elementary School, Kenmore Junior High School, Canyon Park Junior High School and Bothell High School are among the Northshore School District contestants in the Shoreline competition.

The winners will move to a state competition in May, and top finishers there will compete in a national contest in June at the University of Maryland.

Mountlake Terrace

Passport-photo service to be offered

Individuals seeking a passport can now have their passport photos taken at Mountlake Terrace Passport Services.

The city purchased a high-end digital camera and printer earlier this year. So far, 77 sets of photos have been purchased at $14 per photo.

Demand for passports in Mountlake Terrace this year has been high, averaging 200 applications per month, compared with the usual 85 per month.

Due to changes in federal guidelines this year, passports are now required for all air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and South or Central America.

For information on applying for a passport, go to the city's Web site at www.cityofmlt.com.

Edmonds

Colon-cancer awareness fair set

Stevens Hospital, at 21601 76th Ave W. in Edmonds, is offering a free colon-cancer-awareness fair from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 28.

The fair will be held in the hospital's second-floor cafe, and hospital staff members will offer information on colon-cancer screening, education and prevention.

Anyone over the age of 50 is encouraged to attend.

Snohomish County

New climate-change policy at PUD

The Snohomish County Public Utility District recently adopted a climate-change policy to balance new growth with energy efficiency.

The PUD will pursue a range of strategies in connection with its new climate-change policy, including reducing energy use through efficiency.

For a complete description of the policy, go to www.snopud.com.

Compiled The Seattle Times Snohomish County bureau